a supernova in the making

Annie smiled, ducking her head a little. “It might have been, but I’ve a twin brother. It was actually harder coming here without him.” She had never said it aloud before, but when she did she realized how profoundly true it was. “I think a lot of what got me through was having him around.”

She almost hadn’t come back to Hogwarts. For all that Leila had loved it at first, being brought out of her shell had only brought her pain. Knowing Lucinda would be hurt if she tried to hide again, she didn’t actively avoid anyone, but she’d withdrawn within herself just as she had when she first came to Hogwarts. While at home, she’d visited the convent that had been her prison during her early years, for the first time since her father took her away. It was safe to say the visit hadn’t gone well, but after everything that had happened, magic no longer seemed consolation enough. Her faith had been renewed, more a penance than anything else. 

Shut away in a room, Leila’s voice was soft as she read aloud the Bible that she had memorised years ago, using the familiar patter to drown her fears. 

Peaking her head inside, Vasilisa cleared her throat, smiling apologetically for the interruption, “I’m sorry, I need to search for something inside of this room. I’ll be gone before you know it.”  Elizabeth lost one of her favorite dolls yesterday and spent the whole night crying and refusing to go to sleep without it. 

Juno grinned, “God I hope so,” she walked over, pressing into the girl’s space before hip-bumping the girl with a mischievous smirk curling on her lips. “Now you, you know what I want,” power, glory, anything that would make her know, “what do you want?” she quirked her head to the side. “I mean you’ve already got the beautiful thing down pat.” Juno winked.

Lyra followed as they made their way toward the tower.  She hadn’t even thought of the fact that so many various ages were attending the school,” Are there many with children here?  I would assume you all could keep each others’ company with an understanding that there are young ones you’re also caring for…”  

She wasn’t trying to press the issue, more curious the dynamic of the students in the school.  If the woman wanted to spend her time alone, then that was her choice.  If anything it was something Lyra could likely learn from, given her decision to try and retreat from her normal extroverted self.

"More teenagers, then children. But most of the school is older, around our age.” but she is grateful for every child, Elizabeth’s smile every time she runs off to play and act her age. “And yes, we support each other.”

Juno blinked, “That’s not quite the point, if you feel like being pretty is important, then go ahead… be a stunner, because you are and you can be whatever you want, if it makes you happy. But you do know we won’t be pretty forever. We’ll be crones, and then what will people know us for? Our one-time beauty? No,” the dark haired woman threw back her girls and lifted her chin with a haughty grin, “I will not be remembered as some bygone pretty face. I’ll kill a dragon and travel to the desert, people will know my name, my deeds and,” she leaned forward into Vasilisa’s space, a pert catty grin on her lip, “my fine fucking face. It’s a waste of youth and talent to not seek glory, and I have both. In spades.”

Lyra let the talk of the poltergeist go.  Not matter her curiosity, she would just deal with him when she met him, if she met him.  She did glance to the blonde when she couldn’t offer any insight to what the school had to offer,” Too busy?  Are you rather studious then?”

She watched as the staircase moved toward them, it was an interesting architectural decision.  Given that most people likely would find waiting for stairs more an annoyance than anything, she wondered if perhaps there was another reason for it.  It could be a unique security feature, depending on how it moved and when.  Another thing to let go for the moment, as she’d likely figure it out later.

"I am, and I also have a child that requires my attention.” she wonders if she didn’t have Elizabeth around she would be able to give better advice, but she would probably know only just a little bit more then she does now, and be able to give extremely exact details about three small things.

“Thank you.” Annie blushed, “But you’re much prettier than I am.” Annie thought of herself as sort of plain. “Yes, we were lucky to have someone to take care of us.” She looked down. “Not everyone is so lucky.”

“No, not next year.” Mateo jokingly tutted, as if scolding a child. “You never know what is going to happen next year. You need to live each day to the best of your ability.” It was something he’d learned as a child, spending each day wondering if it’d be his last. “I never let it get boring. If I tire of drawing or painting, I sculpt.” 

Tomas started walking, knowing the way well. “You have family from France.” It was almost a question. Elizabeth had said he sounded a little like her uncle, probably one of the reasons she’d been so quick to trust him. 

Delilah looked about as undignified as one could get for the French. Her hair was messily thrown across her shoulders and her dress looked more like a black slip than an actual dress, but classes weren’t running at the moment and she had more important things to attend to. Like people watching, and gnawing away at her apple. It wasn’t lady like, and her mother would be scolding her for hours about it. But her mother wasn’t here, gratefully and so she wondered the halls of Hogwarts, her arms swinging casually. 

Looking up from her book, Vasilisa breathed a sigh of relief that she had been able to stop before hitting the other woman, having seen a few collisions happen, she did not look forward to experiencing it herself. “That was close.” she muttered slowing to a stop, when someone collided with her, throwing her on top of the dark haired woman. 

Tomas nearly said no, he wouldn’t care to join them, but Elizabeth was smiling at him, and children were his soft spot. “If we go to the kitchens, the house elves will give us food there.” He’d taken advantage of that fact several times to avoid the Great Hall, even if something about house elves rubbed him the wrong way. They were too happy to serve, it didn’t seem right. “Then we won’t have to wait.”

Emmeline chuckled, “Well, it was alright. We fought more than we took care of each other. I’m a little envious of you that you didn’t have any siblings. I guess that’s how it goes, you always want what you don’t have.” 

The idea of a little girl so full of spirit made Emmeline sigh. What could have been if she had stayed with Einar for a little longer. Would they have had a beautiful blue-eyed daughter? “I don’t think any child is truly predictable.” She said sweetly, hoping not to show her true longing. 

“No, no it’s alright.” Emmeline sighed, “To be honest it was a long time ago. I’ve thought about him a lot.” The guilt had been crushing. “Who knows if we’d even been happy together.” 

“You really shouldn’t be, it’s lonely.” there were no cousins for her to play with, her whole family living thousands of miles away, her parents had little friends, too picky to accept the people who wanted to be close to them, too poor to be accepted by the ones they wanted. 

Pressing her lips together, Vasilisa wanted to explain herself further, to explain why Elizabeth was so unpredictable. But seeing as she had just contradicted Emmeline, she kept her mouth shit, not wanting the girl to think she was trying to pick a fight. “Yes, I guess you are right.”

Mateo could never see that as a real excuse, often forgetting that not everyone was as fortunate as him. “Nonsense. I know you have your studies now, but you seem bright enough. I’m sure you can fit in the time to draw a little something. Use the castle to inspire you.” While Mateo did paint anything and everything, lately, his focus had been people, but that had been because he’d been commissioned to paint people. “I mostly paint people, but I got my start in painting places. I like to indulge in different areas of art.” 

“I guess I’ve just always been strange.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. It hadn’t been a long time since she’d thought about her family in more than a cursory sense. There were wounds there that still hadn’t healed. “My brother and I were adopted by a man named William who owns a magic store in London. He has always been a better family to me than the one I was born into.”

Juno flipped hair over her shoulder, a smary grin on her face, “Oh I know I’m one very pretty face. But the point isn’t because I’m pretty, it’s because I want to prove I’m just as good as anyone else. Besides, I think you are much prettier than me,” her smile was reckless but there is a tone of sweetness in her voice. She had always been a pretty girl, it was a point of pride but it took no particular skill to have a cut figure and fine features. “My Mother has so much talent, she is so amazing,” there was a warble in her voice, “being pretty doesn’t hold a candle to what she can do. If I can be gorgeous and slay a dragon…” she shifted uncomfortably, then maybe she’d be less of a disappointment. “Why not risk it, what is life without going full tilt at it? If I could slay a Dragon, ride a Griffin, then my pretty eyes and nice skin is just a bonus.”

Although he was tempted to brush it off once more, he knew it could be handy having people who didn’t want him dead. “Oui, fine.” He shrugged. Tomas was sure she’d figure out what kind of man he was soon enough, and she’d forget about his kindness then. “She said she was hungry.” He pointed out, remembering what the girl had said to him. “Go feed her. She is too thin.” Tomas could tell Elizabeth was nothing like what he was like at her age, he’d already been on the streets for a while, but he always sympathised with hunger.

“Safety is always most important,” Gunnarr said, nodding sagely as if he could impart the knowledge to Elizabeth and make it stick. Still, he felt a little guilty for worrying the mother. But he gave her a grateful and somewhat apologetic smile, keeping a firm hand on Elizabeth. “A magic carpet?” he asked with theatrical excitement, more in an attempt to get Elizabeth excited as well. He stepped onto the cloak, testing his weight on it a little. It seemed to do just as she’d promised. “Her Majesty has been very gracious with her gifts.” Then he gave her another reassuring smile along with a nod.

“Alright, Elizabeth,” he said as he jostled the girl a little on his shoulder. “Are we ready to fly?”

Elizabeth stopped playing with the Princess’s blonde hair so she could clap her hands. “Yes, I want to fly! Just like a dragon!” she demanded, but a stern look from her mother made her add, “please.”